Machinists Sign New Deal with Air Transat!

Montréal, QC – IAM members employed by Air Transat have ratified a new five-year collective agreement with their employer.
“After their second quarter results came in, Air Transat requested that all unionized salaries be frozen until 2016,” explained retiring IAM District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Georges Bujold. “Our members agreed to the freeze until 2016 provided we had the ability during the life of the agreement to have the same pay out program as management based on the net profit of the company. As a fallback, should the company not return to profitability, our members will receive a 4.25 per cent wage increase over the life of the agreement.”
Other agreement highlights include :
• Introduction of Crew rest premium
• Increased endorsement premium
• Eligibility for five weeks’ vacation now reduced to 16 years
• Increased per diem for out of base assignment
• Introduction of multi-sector pension program
• Retention of double time provision
• Introduction of family day care
The 280 members from IAM Local Lodge 16 in Vancouver, Local Lodge 2734 in Calgary and Edmonton, Local Lodge 2413 in Toronto and Local Lodge 2309 in Montréal consist of mechanics, warehouse and stores personnel.